Page 118 of The Study of Magic
Yelena glanced at the group of Sandseeds. “You don’t plan to use your magic?”
“No.”
“And you don’t plan to take prisoners?”
“That is not the Sandseed way. The Vermin must be exterminated.”
Valek liked the Sandseed way. “How are you going to prevent the Daviian Warpers from using their magic?”
A dangerous glint flashed in Moon Man’s eyes. “We move the Void.”
“What’s a void?” Valek asked.
“It’s a hole in the blanket of power,” Yelena explained. “If a magician is inside a void, they can’t use magic.” She turned to Moon Man. “You can move it?”
“The blanket of power can be repositioned only with the utmost care. We will center the blanket’s hole directly over the Vermin’s camp, and then we will attack.”
“When?” Valek asked.
“Now.” Moon Man walked over to his soldiers.
“I’d hoped to use the Sandseeds as a distraction,” Valek whispered to Yelena. “This will work. Once Alea is dead, we leave. This isn’t our fight.”
“I think capture and incarceration would be a harsher punishment for her,” she said.
Valek studied her for a moment. If they could capture her, then he would refrain from killing the magician. “As you wish.”
The group of Sandseed warriors shouted a war cry, then disappeared into the tall grass. Moon Man joined Yelena and Valek. “They will position themselves around the camp. The signal to attack will be when the Void is in place. You are to come with me.” He glanced at the three of them. “You need weapons. Here.”
He tossed his bo to Yelena. She caught it with her right hand.
“That is yours. A gift from Suekray.”
“Who?” she asked.
“A horsewoman of our clan. She raised and trained Kiki. You must have made an impression on her. Her gifts are as rare as the snow. Your story is etched into it.”
Yelena marveled at the weapon as she tested its weight. Moon Man handed Valek a scimitar. Nice. He admired the curved blade. It gleamed in the sunlight. Leif pulled his machete from its sheath.
“Let us go,” Moon Man said.
Yelena took off her cloak and rummaged in her bag. When she finished, the three of them followed Moon Man into the tall grass and toward the Daviian camp.
Once there, they found a hiding spot behind a small bush. The cover was scant, due to the area’s lack of rain. Somehow, the Sandseeds around them managed to blend into the barren landscape. Moon Man crouched in a slight depression.
Valek peered at the Daviian camp. There were a few people around their tents and the campfire. Not many. He sensed a wall of magic and speculated that it was the Warpers’ shield. As he waited for the signal, he wondered if he’d experience that unfettered feeling again once inside the Void. He’d still have his immunity, but there wouldn’t be any magic to block. If so, would that lightness help or hinder his ability to fight?
The wall of magic dissipated. Moon Man stood as another war cry sounded. They jumped to their feet and followed the Sandseeds toward the camp. Yelena stopped and stared. What had she seen?
Valek followed her gaze. The camp had changed. Instead of a few people milling about, there stood over thirty. Instead of a handful of tents, there were now rows and rows of them. The magic shield had also been a powerful illusion, hiding the Daviian’s real numbers. He admired the ruse even though it meant they were in trouble.
Despite the illusion, the Sandseed warriors didn’t hesitate. They had the element of surprise and weren’t about to retreat. Wading into the fray, they cut down anyone in their path. Leif followed along, hacking with his machete. He hadn’t been lying, the man knew how to fight.
This wasn’t going to be pretty. Valek shot Yelena a grim look. “Find Alea,” he said. Then he hefted his weapon and joined the Sandseeds.
As Yelena stayed at the edges of the battle, Valek worked his way toward Leif. Blocking, dodging, ducking, and countering, he didn’t waste time with fancy moves or to test an opponent’s defenses like he would have if sparring with one of the Commander’s soldiers. This was kill or be killed. The Daviians couldn’t use their magic, but they knew how to swing their swords.
Shouts, screams, and curses rolled together into one loud cacophony. Blood spurted, coating his blade and staining his clothes. The smell of it fogged the air. It was brutal. The horrors of battle were the reason the Commander’s rebellion used assassination, guile, and promises for a better life than outright war.
